College of Architecture and Planning hosts international conference

Beginning Oct. 20, Ball State's College of Architecture and Planning will host a three-day international conference focused on exploring new ways to educate young architects about equitable and adaptable building design.

The conference marks the first time two international commissions—CIB W104 Open Building Implementations and CIB W110 Informal Settlements and Affordable Housing—will meet in the U.S. With more than 40 participants from 12 countries, organizers say the conference will have broad participation of architects, designers and students from around the world and from Ball State.

Speaking at the Education for an Open Architecture Conference will be world-renown architects and educators, including Dietmar Eberle, founder and co-owner of Baumschlager-Eberle in Vienna, Austria, and Paul Lukez, founding principal of Paul Lukez Architecture in Somerville, Mass., and author of "Suburban Transformations." Renee Chow, professor at University of California Berkeley, Andres Mignucci from the University of Puerto Rico and Jia Beisi from the University of Hong Kong will also present lectures.

"This conference being held at Ball State really defines how we are rethinking education through exploring new forms of immersive learning," said Stephen Kendall, conference chair and associate professor of architecture. "Students and faculty will be able to learn from the best by participating in interactive design exercises, and faculty can share teaching methods in their academic paper sessions."

Visiting students from Singapore, Korea and China will be present to accept awards for placing high in the international student competition, sponsored by a number of prestigious U.S. and international architecture and construction firms and several Ball State research centers.

Countries represented at the conference are the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Italy, Mexico, South Africa, Brazil, Indonesia, China, Taiwan, Korea and Japan and the U.S.